Back to school

Much to the chagrin of students across the UAE, the Ministry of Education has clarified that schools that follow international curriculums are not obliged to postpone their academic year to the end of Ramadan.

The Minister of Education clarified that private schools that do not follow the government’s curriculum are not obliged to begin their academic year after Ramadan, reports Khaleej Times.

“Foreign private schools which follow the British and American curriculums as well as the Asian community schools will have the right, and at their discretion, to fix the date of commencement of the new academic year 2009-2010, either after, before or in the middle of the holy month of Ramadan,” said Humaid Obaid Al Qattami.

The announcement was made to education zones throughout the nation.

In July, the ministry announced that all schools that following the ministry’s curriculum will need to postpone the first day of school until after Ramadan immediately following the three day Eid al Fitr holiday.

A spokesperson for the ministry said at the time private schools that follow international curriculums will not be obliged to begin after Ramadan.

“The ministry may hold meetings with principals of private schools and discuss the details of the new academic year with them, but really, the choice is left up to them,” said the MOE spokesperson.

“In fact, some private schools have already made the decision earlier not to start the school year until after Ramadan, so this is something that has been considered by all in the education field.”

The announcement caused confusion among parents who were unsure if their children’s school will postpone the beginning of the next academic year.

A number of school managements reportedly told Khaleej Times that their academic year will begin at the end of August, and have communicated the same to parents.